Flash Back 2006:Mazda Destroyed 4,703 Brand New Cars After Cargo Ship Accident 

Automobile makers usually try to find the best way to build a car, but Mazda had the unenviable task of finding the best way to destroy over 4,703 brand new cars.

It all started in 2006 when a ship carrying 4,703 brand new cars consisting of 2804 Mazda 3s, 1329 CX-7s, 295 MX-5s, 214 RX-8s, 56 Mazda 5s, and 5 Mazda speed 6s worth $103m nearly sank in the Pacific.

The freighter, the Cougar Ace, spent weeks on the high seas, leaning at approximately 60 degrees, but was eventually righted in an operation that cost the life of one of the team members.

Having saved the cars, Mazda was now faced with the dilemma of what to do with them. Turning down options to donate, or in some cases even sell the cars to fire extrication trainers, auto repair schools, or even Hollywood for stunts.

They were worried about getting sued someday if, to say, an air-bag failed to fire properly due to overexposure to salty sea air.

Mazda was also worried that scammers might find a way to sell the cars abroad, to Countries like Nigeria, as new. That happened to thousands of so-called hurricane “Katrina cars” salvaged from New Orleans’ flooding years ago.

Initially Mazda said that only 68 cars had been damaged in the crash, either by slipping their moorings or rolling into other vehicles, but it was eventually decided that all 4,703 vehicles needed to be crushed.

Mazda carefully render each part inoperable, cutting all four wheels in half, shred the cars, and recycle the steel, probably into new cars. They created a purpose-built machine to detonate all six airbags at once.

After that, one by one, the Mazdas were loaded into an Overbuilt portable crusher,where the cars are crushed.

Mazda said :We certainly didn’t save any money crushing,”. “What we saved was our reputation.”